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More than a quarter of UK homeowners and renters have claimed that their property priorities have changed since the COVID-19 outbreak. Previously highly-sought after and high-value property features have dropped down the priority list for homebuyers and tenants, as they now seek different factors when looking for a property that meets their needs and lifestyles. Easy commutes to work, proximity to local shops and restaurants, and local public transport links are no longer as desirable as they once were. Instead, we have noticed a significant increase in those searching for more space, whereby those searching are willing to compromise on location or local amenities in return for larger bedrooms and a 'work from home' zone. Having access to a private garden or nearby green space has also become one of the top preferences for homebuyers and renters, especially in light of reduced travel options this summer. Are you looking to buy, sell, rent, or let this year? As leading agents within the local area, we're in the prime position to help you locate your next investment opportunity.

As an owner, you have the right to rent out your home. This entitlement comes with responsibilities. The producer of the home must be licensed to operate under the Residential Tenancies Act. Rules and regulations exist to ensure tenants are being adequately cared for and that landlords are being fair in their rent charges. In this article you'll find a list of things you need to know about renting out your Essex home. A full breakdown can be found on the gov.uk website for Landlord and tenant rights: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landlord-and-tenant-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-private-rented-sector/landlord-and-tenant-rights-and-responsibilities-in-the-private-rented-sector Consider Your Personal Finances Before you rent out your home consider your personal finances. There are many factors that can be considered when renting out your home such as finding the right tenant, maintenance and legal procedures. Budget For Future Repairs And Renovations What, specifically, should a prospective landlord ask prospective tenants to budget for after damaging their property? I think this varies from tenant to tenant but mostly it depends on how serious the damage is. It's your materials, craftsmanship and time. If you are trying to fix up a house, unfortunately, it's likely not going to be low-level repairs like replacing lightbulbs. It may be major renovations like redecorating the whole house, remodelling baths/there are new cabinets in the kitchen (which may be a one-off cost) etc. In other words, make sure you prioritize the repair work over everything else for initial inspections. Set Up A Proper Agreement With Your Tenant Landlords and tenants have a few things in common. Understanding these commonalities will help your tenant in running their rented property well. For instance, if you fail to provide proper paperwork for renting out your property to tenants, then you may land in trouble with the government and be fined heavily. Landlords but also tenants should maintain proper documentation in their possession. This will reduce issues and increase the chances of getting a good tenant. Is this a difficult proposition? If yes, then you are most likely among the few that find paperwork to be very daunting. The pressure to get things done quickly and cheaply can be overwhelming, but it’s necessary if we want our country’s prosperity. If you are unsure what agreement you need to have in place then contact Lawrence Antony Homes on 01268 778333 or email info@lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk Get it Fully-Managed by an Estate Agent in Essex If you’re looking to rent out your Essex home one of the most important things to consider is what your future tenants will do to the property once they move in. Either they will love it, or be indifferent toward it. Either way, working with a professional property manager can help you determine what repairs/renovations to do before or after the tenants move in. Find The Appropriate Insurance Carrier Rent guarantee insurance, also known as tenant default insurance, is a common type of cover you can add on to your landlord policy. It can protect you from the serious financial implications if tenants don’t pay their rent as buying a property is the biggest financial commitment that most of us ever make. In the current economic climate, with banks becoming increasingly fussy about who they will lend to, it’s more important than ever to get professional, impartial advice on what mortgage is best for your circumstances. Our financial advisor is totally independent and will check the whole mortgage marketplace to find you the best rate in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you. Thinking about Property Management for your Essex Property? Our Comprehensive Management Package: This invaluable part of our letting package includes the following: Rent Collection paid direct into your bank within 24 hours. Tenancy agreements. Initial Inspection after 30 days of moving in. Quarterly property inspections. All inspection report are detailed with photographs. Rental Arrears Management. Tenant emergency phone lines 24/7. Trusted professional contractors for maintenance and repair. Comprehensive Management Legal Expenses & Rent Guarantee: Includes our standard management services. Professional free inventory & check out. Rent guarantee insurance. Malicious damage cover. Available on a 6 or 12 month basis. Other Requirements: In order to comply with the current requirements for letting your property in the UK, we require the following to be carried out on the property prior to marketing: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - valid for 10 years with a rating of 'E' or above. Landlords Gas Safety Certificate - valid for 1 year. Electrical condition report - valid for 5 years.

Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases you will ever make. As a first time buyer, you are likely brimming with excitement and anticipation. You may have even set a deadline for when you’d like to move. It is understandable that you would also be nervous about the process. There are many factors to consider with this new responsibility. As a first time home buyer, there can be a lot of things you don’t know. If you are trying to find your feet, however, then the following tips should help you. Check your credit score and report regularly Checking your credit score is important for many reasons. It helps you understand your financial situation, whether you’re managing it properly and how it impacts the things that are important to you. As a first time home buyer, do you know why you need to check your credit score and report regularly? Lenders run your credit report and use it as the basis of their approval process for a loan. If there are any errors on your credit report or if there are items missing from your report, this could cause you to lose out on the loan that you may have qualified for. Review your budget before looking for a home If you are planning to buy your first home in the next few months, reviewing your budget before you start looking for homes is a wise choice. You probably have done all of the necessary research for understanding the rules of buying a new house. Having a budget in place before you start looking will help you avoid spending more money than planned. Find out about available saving accounts for first-time buyers There are help to buy cash isa's and other government schemes in the UK that you may be eligible for. Check the government websites, ask your local estate agents and speak to your bank to see if there is anything you can do to help you save and potential get more money for your deposit. Choose a property in an established area When looking for a first home buyers you need to consider a few things. You need to look at the area and see what is around, where are the shops, the schools and work. You want to look at what type of properties are available for sale for first time buyers, whether it is more houses or apartments. Research the market Knowing where to begin with all the available houses can be overwhelming, especially if at first glance you don't know what you're looking for. However, the first step in true property bliss is researching the market as a first time buyer. This is where Lawrence Antony Homes begins its research so that each home buyer can be fully informed of all of the available properties in their area and determine one or more candidates that meet their criteria. Avoid impulse buying The biggest fear for a first-time buyer is the impulse buy. Even if you know perfectly well what you want and what you don't want, it's very easy to get caught up in advertising and pricing - and you feel like you're being pushed into something. When purchasing your property for the first time, there are many factors you need to consider when choosing a property. You can have everything, but a couple of factors can stop you from being happy with your purchase in the long run. Once you have decided which kind of property you want, it is important that you time your purchase well so you can be in a favoured position before making offer on the house. Keep daily household expenses in mind If you are a first time home buyer, you should be aware that all homebuyers have different needs and wants. This makes it important that you set aside some money for your first month's expenses. These may include: - cheeky takeaways as you've been working then coming home and decorating / renovating and may not have time to cook - aesthetic purchases! A short trip to B&Q or wickes will soon have you racking up the expenses from paint, furnishings, lightbulbs (especially if you go for those light changing ones you operate via your smartphone!) Bonus Tip! Look to friends and family for advice Let me tell you a secret. Once you've find your dream home chat it over with your parents, friends and family. And then keep on asking for their advice! There are so many things from knowing how to properly drill into a wall and not in a place where they might be pipes, electrics etc to figuring out how your boiler works (honestly, most adults still get baffled by the thermostat just randomly turning on when it wants!) Owning your first-home is a fantastic experience and full of learning curves that others may have already stumbled across, so never feel silly for reaching out and asking! If you ever get stuck send a DM to us as @lawrenceantonyhomes and we'll help out as best we can or signpost you to someone who can solve it!

Essex has always been known as a great place to live especially if you live in London and want to move out and be nearer the coast. While it doesn't fall into the most affordable place to live in the UK, with a great mix of properties and areas it really has something for everyone. From Colchester with its rich history, zoo and stunning villages to beach life in Clacton-on-Sea a popular resort in the summer months, Essex seems to have everything and more for living and working. An approximate house in main residential areas is £500k+ many sitting at £600k sale price but the county has a good mix of properties to suit every budget which is another great benefit. *https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/essex-house-prices-map-shows-4972438 The Southend and Colchester postcodes have seen a 35 per cent increase in the prices homes sold for. - https://www.essexlive.news/ For further information this is taken from Rightmove's Essex Property Page: (https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices-in-Essex.html) The majority of sales in Essex during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £387,275. Terraced properties sold for an average of £337,949, with detached properties fetching £530,840. Essex, with an overall average price of £386,185 was more expensive than nearby Suffolk (£300,344) and Cambridgeshire (£329,544), but was cheaper than Hertfordshire (£507,662). The most expensive area within Essex was Ramsden Bellhouse (£1,270,000) and the cheapest was Jaywick (£150,176). Overall sold prices in Essex over the last year were 7% up on the previous year and 8% up on the 2018 level of £357,503.

Five-star lodge with hot tub set in stunning grounds with fishing lake Review by Cassie ??‍♀️ So in 2019 I stayed at this 5* AirBnB and omg, I totally fell in love! Its a fantastic place full of nature, fresh air and a welcome retreat if you're from a different part of Essex or you're thinking of moving to Essex and you want a good base before adventures during the day and come home to a real rural retreat. It's only 20-minutes away from Colchester which was the main event for the trip as I wanted to go to the Zoo and its near Wakes Colne but you 100% need a car as its built in this lovely little artisan village that is privately owned and to get to the actual AirBnB there is a really long country road full of bunnies and birds, small nature reserves etc! I think this is a great place if you're thinking of moving to Essex or this part of Essex as not only do you get to experience an idyllic sanctuary, there are some stunning villages (one we went to is where they filmed Chickens with the inbetweeners characters and then we had a cup of tea in this amazing and really Instagram worthy cafe!) you also get to be under 45-minutes from main areas. About the lodge from the AirBnB Owners Escape awhile at Ramson Lodge where only the birds and your bubbling hot tub disturb the silence… Our luxury 5 AA star self-catering lodge offers dreamy escapism deep within the rural seclusion of north Essex near Wakes Colne in the breath-taking Colne Valley. Lose yourself in the 500 acres of secluded rolling private land and wander the woodlands that can offer a decent game of hide and seek or a stretching preprandial ramble. While away some time by the magnificent two acre private fishing lake stocked with carp and rudd. A playground for wildlife, you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of a kingfisher. Your furry friends will love it too – the woods with its little stream are pooch perfect for sniffing and moseying about in. Set at the end of a mile long private driveway, our ultimate bolthole for couples or a family of four is tucked away in an ancient meadow in undulating countryside, where in decades gone by heavy horses, cattle and sheep would have grazed. If you do go for a long weekend while checking out the area download our 12 simple steps to achieve the best prices in the quickest time possible ?

It's common knowledge that staging your home to sell can give you a competitive edge. It's not hard to do, either with so many fantastic decor shops in Essex, England. With a few simple adjustments to the way you arrange furniture and careful consideration for the lighting in your home, you'll be on your way to selling your house fast. What is home staging? A common question that many people have is What is home staging? Home staging is a way to use decoration and design to make a home more appealing for a buyer. Home staging is a cost-effective, quick, and easy way to get your house ready for sale. What to do before home staging Before you begin speak to your estate agent who will be able to give you advice on the type of person who would be most likely to purchase your property. They may be a downsizer looking for a small property or a new family selling their first-time buy and looking for more space. Then you'll know the best style to stage your house to get it ready so when the potential new buyer walks through the door they immediately feel like they could live there! What to do during the staging process Start by cleaning Hinch style! Scrub those floors and get everything gleaming! Invest in getting your oven cleaned, windows washed and carpets cleaned (you know we all love a bit of rug doctor!) Once everything is sparkling clean its time to pack away the personal items. Starting this process now also mentally helps get you ready to sell and move on from your property as well as helping visitors not get distracted on viewings. Think neutral. We want to clean slate the interiors and make it a bright and breezy space with a few nice new cushions and just everything looking as much as it can like a magazine image! Do not forget out curb appeal! Your exterior is just as important as the inside, so remove any leaves and weeds to get it looking lovely. What to do after the staging process After the home staging process its about maintaining that standard which can be especially hard if you have a busy household! A great idea is to make a checklist after your happy with the stage on the main things like cleaning, cushions and candles etc and once the viewings have been completed back the staged items away in a box until the next round of viewings! It is also a great idea to get the viewings back to back on the same days to save you having to put things back into storage everytime. Where to find more resources and ideas It can be difficult to know how to spruce up your home for a home sale. But with the right advice, you can make quick and easy changes that will instantly make your home look more attractive to buyers. But by following these tips, you can make your home look it's best and be more likely to get an offer on the spot!

Your house needs to go through a fine-tooth comb before you put it up for sale. You just cannot throw your property in the market and wait for things to happen. Getting your property ready for selling can be a daunting task without a bit of planning. Here’s what you need to do before you put your property up for sale. 1. Update or Replace Electrical Items Replace the electrical panels and circuits that are obsolete. Call in an electrician and update those panels with safety switches and newer electrical materials. You also want to check and see if there are any wiring problems that can create a safety issues. Investigate the common electrical wire cable problems and fix them before you go on the market. 2. A Mini-Facelift At this point of the game, it can be difficult to recuperate your full investment if you decide to remodel the home. A mini-facelift, however, is definitely going to appeal to more buyers and less risky. Paint The first cosmetic fix to consider is a fresh coat of paint. If the paint is five to seven years old or if there are visible signs of paint chipping off and fade caused by the sun, it is best to get the walls painted. Painting the walls, ceilings, trims and doors is a cheap way to give a dramatic makeover to the rooms. Minor Fixes Minor fixes go a long way in making your house look attractive to the potential buyers. Things like replace a broken tile, update outdated outlet face plates, tighten a loose handrail, updating the hardware, are easy and minor fixes that will refresh the home without breaking the bank. Lighting The quickest way to make a small room seem larger and inviting is by making changes in the lighting. Lighting plays with the perception of space, that’s why there are many studies done about how light affect buying behaviors in the retail industry. Good lighting is worth an investment. Consider these three things while improvising the lighting: Take time to analyze your current space and see if you can find some ways to improve the lighting. If you have outdated light fixtures, replace them with more modern alternatives. This change can have a great impact on the look and can lead to a quicker sale. While investing in lighting, don’t forget the natural light. Let the sun in. If possible, ditch the heavy drapes. Roofs and Outdoors If your roof needs to be replaced, then get it done. Buyers hesitate to buy the property if they have to replace the roof. Replacing the roof may not increase the sale price of your property, but it will definitely open up plenty of potential buyers, who are willing to buy your house, and reduce the chance of a price reduction. If the sidewalks have cement cracks in them, patch them up. Give your fence a good makeover; fix or paint them. 3. Kitchen Improvements Minor repairs in the kitchen can make your kitchen appear more welcoming. Before your home goes on the market, take the time and check these areas and make the necessary fixes: Kitchen Appliances The stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher need to be in good working order. Fix any leaks and replace the coolant in your fridge if necessary. If your appliances are outdated, consider replacing them. Kitchen Cabinets Your kitchen cabinets should be in good conditions, because this is something the buyers will definitely open and check to see how much storage they can have. The doors and drawers of the cabinet have to open and close smoothly. Tighten loose hinges, unclog or replace drawer tracks that are rusted or stuck. Replace broken handles and knobs. If the paint of the painted cabinets has chipped or peeled off, sand them down and then apply a fresh coat of paint. You can also change the hardware with new ones to make the cabinets look more updated. Sinks and Faucets Faucets should not leak, and sinks should not clog. Make sure that the overflow drain, which prevents overfilling of the bathtub, functions properly. Hot and cold water faucets should operate as marked. 4. Flooring Fixes From laminate to carpet, no matter what your flooring is, it should look presentable and in good condition. Replace cracked or chipped floor tiles. Refinish scratched or dented hardwood. Replace carpets that are torn or stained. If you have pets, make sure that your steam-clean your carpets. Buyers will always want to buy a house that is turnkey. If they see any tell-tale signs of an ill-maintained house, it’s going to put them off. If you want to make a quick sale, make sure that you get the must-fixes done in your house before you introduce it in the market.

Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you can’t keep it together. Here are some of our best tips to stay productive, organised and distraction-free at home. Stay organised with apps or your tasks list on paper We love to use trello its free and has cards you can move around as you complete tasks. Another great app is evernote which allows you to add web elements as well as type notes and add bullet point tasks into notebooks (a bit like a virtual to-do list book!) Create a work area that you love You spend most of your day at the desk so make it is as aesthetically lovely as possible! Treat yourself to a houseplant or succulent to bring some nature into your space, have a nice cushion on your chair to stay comfy and invest in a funny or branded tea mug so your behind-the-scenes Instagram posts look on point! Have accountability to stay productive and driven Having a weekly catch up with your business partner or team helps keep accountability so let them know what your working on and your goals for this week and then go through what went well and what didn’t at the end of the week. Work from a designated home office It might seem a great idea to work from the sofa, but it does zap productivity. Instead make a space in your home to just for working, instead of hot-desking around the house! Have set times for working and personal time Just like having a designated home office space will help you focus so with a stable daily routine. While it is all too easy to continue working through dinner, by picking a time and stopping to settle back into personal spaces and family life, it helps stop the dreaded burnout! Make your own key performance indicators Your company may have goals, but you should too! If your working towards promotion, a campaign goal or just less case files by the end of the month build in a tracker to keep you motivated to succeed your goals. Find a quiet space where you can work when you need to be productive When you are scouring every crevice of your home to find your designated home office space make sure to not to put it in the hub of your family zone unless you want to be constantly interrupted! If space is a problem then we suggest putting a desk looking towards a wall or directly in front of a window so your not looking into a room if you do happen to be sharing your space. Limit distractions such as social media and technology while working Put your computer onto do not disturb or better yet, just don’t allow notifications to pop up from social media, it will help you stay productive and set key times throughout the day to check your emails rather than having it on a tab that has you being interrupted when your trying to focus. Create a personalised system that will help you stay organised and efficient Everyone works differently, for example, I work to my calendar rather than a bullet point list as it just feels easier. Others need a notebook to cross of tasks as they complete them. If you’re not sure what you prefer, spend a day trying each one out until you naturally find the most suitable for your work.